Rio Doce homalolepis (Homalolepis docensis)
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey
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Homalolepis docensis: Rare Restinga Species Profile
Restricted to the coastal dunes and restingas of southeastern Brazil, Homalolepis docensis faces significant environmental pressures. This plant was initially documented as Simaba docensis by botanists Franceschinelli and Yamamoto.
Taxonomists Devecchi and Pirani later transferred the species to the reinstated genus in 2018. Its natural distribution is highly localized, making it an important subject of conservation study.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ mesangiosperms
- ∟ eudicots
- ∟ Superrosids
- ∟ rosids
- ∟ malvids
- ∟ order Sapindales
- ∟ family Simaroubaceae (Quassia family)
- ∟ genus Homalolepis (Homalolepis Tree)
- ∟ species Homalolepis docensis (Rio Doce homalolepis)
Morphology
The physical structure of this coastal species reflects its adaptation to sandy shoreline environments:
- Habit: It grows as a woody shrub or small tree.
- Foliage: The alternate, pinnate leaves are composed of coriaceous, elliptic leaflets.
- Inflorescence: It bears small, pale flowers clustered in paniculate structures.
- Fruit: The mature drupes are fleshy and adapted to local dispersal.
The leaves exhibit a thick cuticle that prevents water loss in high-salinity coastal conditions.
Interesting facts
A few noteworthy facts about this rare species include:
- Endemic Status: It is found only in the highly fragmented Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil.
- Threat Profile: The expansion of coastal urban areas directly threatens its remaining natural populations.
- Habitat Specialty: It is specially adapted to the nutrient-poor sandy soils of Restinga ecosystems.
Geography of distribution
- Brazil Southeast
- Minas Gerais
Sources
- Plants of the World Online (POWO)
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
- World Flora Online (WFO)
- The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species